etsu: 2011-2014

The Male Gaze

It is apparent that a lot- probably most- of female characters in pop culture today are seen as sex objects and eye candy. So, for women that are not celebrities, it is deeply engrained in us that we aren’t a whole lot more than our body parts. This can be both demeaning and frustrating while also causing self-doubt and low self-esteem. However, regardless of the negative impact movies and television has on women’s self-image, it is hard for us to change the pattern. This is because most people behind the cameras and directing the films are heterosexual males. Therefore, instead of focusing on a female character’s mind, feelings, or badass-ery; the screen lingers on her breasts or her rear end. Film making, advertising, and TV production needs a more diverse list of employees. If that happened, the pattern could start to change!